Open Water+
10+ Logged dives
Blackwater dive
Nitrox available
Our final dive will finish no later than 12:00 pm (midday). Don't forget to allow at least 24 hours between your last dive and your flight!
We will explore Koh Lanta National Park, with dives around some of the region’s most famous sites, including Koh Haa, Hin Daeng, and Hin Muang.
Koh Haa, meaning “five islands” in Thai, is a group of five islands located between Hin Daeng and Phi Phi and forms part of the Koh Lanta National Marine Park.
Depending on conditions, we may explore dive sites such as Koh Haa Lagoon, Koh Haa Neua, and Koh Haa Yai, where spectacular rock formations create numerous swim-throughs to explore.
The area is home to an incredible variety of marine life, from tiny macro creatures to larger animals.
Macro lovers will be delighted by seahorses and ornate ghost pipefish, while moray eels, octopuses, hawksbill turtles, and marble rays provide plenty to keep everyone entertained.
If we are lucky, we may even encounter a leopard shark or an oceanic manta ray!
Hin Daeng and Hin Muang are two spectacular pinnacles rising from the open ocean and surrounded by deep water.
Visibility at these sites is usually excellent, while the dramatic underwater landscape creates the perfect setting for the incredible marine life we come here to encounter.
The main attractions are the pelagic encounters, particularly manta rays and whale sharks.
But there is much more to discover besides these gentle giants, including large schools of barracudas, huge numbers of fusiliers, cuttlefish, bluefin trevallies, snappers, and many other species.
We will also spend some time exploring Tarutao National Marine Park, home to the beautiful island of Koh Lipe. We will dive at the famous 8 Mile Rock, Stonehenge, and Koh Sarang.
Koh Lipe is the only inhabited island in the area and is surrounded by white sandy beaches and beautiful dive sites, making it a wonderful destination both above and below the surface.
8 Miles Rock is an awe-inspiring underwater pinnacle located over 8 nautical miles south of Koh Lipe. This dive site is a must-visit for any advanced open-water diver seeking an unforgettable underwater experience. The top of the pinnacle is at 16 meters, and you could find more than 40 meters, but there is plenty to see above 30 meters.
Famous for frequent whale shark and mobula sightings, 8 Miles Rock is also home to a diverse range of marine life that makes it an excellent dive site for all to enjoy. The site is situated in open water, which attracts pelagic fish such as huge schools of batfish, trevallies, mackerel, and barracuda, as well as some big tunas passing on top of the pinnacle. You can also expect to see a variety of reef fish like snappers, fusiliers, lionfish, and scorpionfish, and if your guide knows where they hide, you may see a frogfish or two.
Whale sharks are frequently seen at 8 Miles Rock, and if you’re lucky, you might catch a glimpse of a leopard shark or an enormous giant grouper emerging from the depth. If you’re really fortunate, you may even witness a school devil ray gathering in large numbers.
Stonehenge is one of Thailand’s most stunning coral gardens that is perfect for underwater photography, but the currents can get strong around here, so you better plan your dive time right. The current is also what gives the site such a stunning appearance, as it is covered in healthy soft coral that can only thrive in the current, and in the middle of it you will find a picture-perfect mix of barrel sponges and anemones with all types of clownfish hovering over them: tomato, clark, skunk, and more. They can all be seen here.
Don’t worry too much about the current thought, as there’s always a place to hide from the current, and take time to look for small things such as the little crabs and gobies on the whip corals and the ornate ghost pipefish. Stonehenge can also be a good drift dive, looking at the magnificent seafans and enjoying the colorful scenery.
Much of the reef consists of purple, white, and pink soft corals, and there are many bright blue tunicates. The site got its name after the prehistoric monument in England because of the striking resemblance between the two. Just like the original Stonehenge, the dive site has large rocks and boulders arranged in a circular formation, surrounded by sandy patches and soft coral gardens. The multicolour coral covering the rocks gives them a weathered and ancient appearance that further enhances the comparison to the real Stonehenge.
Koh Sarang is a popular dive site in the Tarutao National Park. This site offers diverse marine life, making it a must-visit for scuba diving enthusiasts. The maximum depth of the site is 30 meters, and Open Water Diver certification is required to dive here.
The shallow waters of Koh Sarang feature a pristine hard coral reef, while the deeper parts of the site boast huge gorgonian sea fans, as well as hard and soft corals. The pinnacles are famous for their beautiful soft coral covering in purple, orange, white, and pink hues. The most famous pinnacle, the Christmas tree pinnacle, is named after its unique shape.
During the dive, divers can encounter a variety of marine life, including big schools of trevallies, snappers, fusiliers, and damsels. The site is also home to lionfish, scorpionfish, clownfish, triggerfish, flute-mouth fish, trumpet fish, and many other reef fish. For those who prefer the smaller stuff, nudibranches and shrimps can be found in the area.
Koh Sarang is perfect for underwater photography enthusiasts, as well as divers looking to take specialty courses such as fish identification, deep diving, and advanced courses. Divers can also expect to encounter unique marine life, making it an ideal location for exploration and discovery.
We will return to Koh Lanta National Park for more diving, with 1 dive at Hin Daeng, followed by 1 dive at The Cathedral and 1 dive at The Chimney in Koh Haa.
We will continue heading south through the Similan Islands, exploring some of the area’s most famous dive sites, including West of Eden for 1 dive, Elephant Head Rock for 1 dive, and Three Trees for 1 dive.
We will also stop at Donald Duck Beach after the first dive at Elephant Head Rock.
In the evening, we will do a night dive at Koh Bon.
These sites offer excellent opportunities to encounter whale sharks, turtles, manta rays, reef sharks, and Napoleon wrasse, along with a huge variety of colourful reef life.
True to the reputation of the Similan Islands, this dive site offers pristine blue water visibility, a large area made of dispersed granite boulders covered with mostly hard coral formation and few soft corals and seafans. It’s the place for macro enthusiasts; tiny nudibranchs, pipehorse, and hairy shrimps are on the list of critters to look for, as well as spearing mantis shrimp, frogfish, and dragonnets…
One of the most iconic dive sites of the Similan, with its massive granite boulder sticking out of the water that looks like an elephant skull. It’s a formation of several huge boulders stacked up on top of each other, offering several swim-throughs, making it unique. It’s a place for schooling fish and sharks in the blue but also home to a harem of McCosker flashing wrasse as well as ribbon eels. Moreover, the formation offers many small sheltered areas for cleaning stations.
With its white sand and blue water, it’s very graphic and easy to spot a guitar shark sleeping on the bottom. In the blue, a huge school of barracuda is a regular, but the true highlight here is a magnificent coral reef with its humongous barrel sponge and seafan surrounded by soft purple coral.
At Koh Bon, we will usually make 2 dives – one along the famous ridge and another around Koh Bon Pinnacle.
Koh Bon is one of Thailand’s best-known cleaning stations for manta rays, and it is one of the places where we have some of the best chances of encountering these magnificent animals.
There is also a good chance of spotting a zebra shark resting on the sandy areas around the pinnacle.
From the boat, you will also enjoy beautiful views of idyllic islands covered in lush green forests and surrounded by white sandy beaches.
Underwater, visibility is often excellent. Keep your eyes open for leopard sharks, blue-spotted stingrays, schools of snappers and fusiliers, emperor fish, clown triggerfish, and colourful tropical fish.
The rocky areas are also home to moray eels, turtles, and mantis shrimps.
And, of course, whale sharks can also be encountered in the area—so remember to look behind you from time to time for a gentle giant passing overhead!
At Koh Tachai Pinnacle, we usually enjoy a very fishy dive, with large schools of barracuda, trevallies, sweetlips, and batfish filling the blue.
The pinnacle is also a great place to keep an eye out for larger marine life, including whale sharks, turtles, manta rays, reef sharks, and Napoleon wrasse.
We will do 1 dive during the day, followed by a night dive on the reef in the evening, with the possibility of seeing blacktip reef sharks.
At Richelieu Rock, we will do 3 dives, followed by a night dive at Koh Surin in the evening. Then it will be time for our infamous BBQ night — a favourite onboard tradition!
Richelieu Rock is regularly ranked among the top 10 dive sites in the world—and once you dive here, you will quickly understand why!
This spectacular pinnacle can be described as a giant underwater aquarium, with an incredible variety of marine life packed into a relatively small area.
From seahorses to schools of jacks and barracudas, there is always something happening around the rock. And if you are lucky, you may even encounter the star of the show: the whale shark!
Richelieu Rock is also a true paradise for underwater photographers, particularly those who love macro life.
Look carefully among the soft corals and sea fans for a spectacular variety of small creatures, including seahorses, pipefish, ghost pipefish, harlequin shrimp, frogfish, and nudibranchs in all shapes and colours.
On the last day of the trip, we will do 2 final dives at the infamous Richelieu Rock, finishing the cruise on a high note before beginning our journey back to Ranong.
All cruises aboard the MV Smiling Seahorse, weather permitting, offer the opportunity to experience the incredible Blackwater Diving in the Andaman Sea.
If you’ve never experienced this unique style of offshore night diving, don’t worry! Before your first Blackwater dive, our team will give you a full presentation and safety briefing to explain what to expect and how to enjoy this unforgettable experience safely.
Koh Lanta NP · Koh Tarutao NP · Similan Islands · Surin Islands · Richelieu Rock
8 Days / 7 Nights · 25 Dives
Departure
Phuket at 4:00 PM
Return
Ranong at approximately 8:00 PM
Prices valid from January 2026
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Standard Cabin
Air-conditioned | Shared bathroom | Twin or double bed
Deluxe Cabin
Air-conditioned | Ensuite bathroom | Twin or double bed
Master Cabin
Air-conditioned | Ensuite bathroom | Double bed
If you do not have your own:
Personal Insurance
General travel insurance is highly recommended.
Dive computer rental: 300 THB/day
Equipment rental: 600 THB/day
Extra Blackwater dive: 1,000 THB/person
Nitrox: 250 THB/tank or 4,800 THB for the whole cruise
15L tank: 300 THB/day or 2,100 THB for the whole cruise
Private guide: 4,000 THB/day
Transfers: Transfers to and from the boat are available on demand.
Alcoholic drinks and cigarettes
Gratuities / tips: A tip of 1,000 THB/day/person is common practice.
✈️ 24-hour no-fly period
Please remember that you must allow at least 24 hours between your last dive and your flight. Our final dive usually finishes around 12:00 pm.
For the latest domestic flight schedules from Phuket Airport, check AirAsia.
🚌 Transfer
We would be happy to assist with transfers before or after your cruise. Contact us!
Please note: This itinerary is provided as a sample and may be modified by The Smiling Seahorse depending on the weather forecast, sea and diving conditions, or other unforeseen circumstances.
Explore the Surin Islands, Richelieu Rock and the Similan Islands.
Prices in Thai baht (THB), per diver. The 10% discount is already applied.
